Dental model pouring jig

ABSTRACT

The dental model pouring jig of the present invention includes a base member that supports a model base support member and a mold support member. The model base support member is secured to the base member and is capable of mounting a dental model base. The mold support member is adjustably secured to the base member and includes a mold platform that is capable of mounting a mold of a person&#39;s teeth. At least a portion of the mold platform is configured to be easily detached and reattached to the mold support member. The mold support member is adjustable relative to the model base support member to properly position the mold adjacent the dental model base.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.10/215,370, filed Aug. 7, 2002, titled “Dental Model Pouring Jig,” whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to dental models and methods of forming dentalmodels. More particularly, the invention relates to an adjustable dentalmodel pouring jig and a method of using the same.

2. Related Art

Traditional dental model pouring jigs and apparati for creating a dentalmodel from a mold of a person's teeth have been in use for many decades.The model is typically formed by having a patient bite into a pliantcasting material, which cures to create a mold cavity having a negativeimpression of the patient's teeth and gums. The mold can be of all orany portion of the patient's gum line. A castable material is thenpoured into the negative impression to create a stone replica or dentalmodel of the patient's teeth and gums.

The primary function of a dental pouring jig is to hold the mold of aperson's teeth and position pins adjacent the mold when creating a modelof the teeth using a model forming (castable) material. In the past, thepins were commonly clipped or temporarily secured to a flat disk thatwas held in position by features of the pouring jig. More recently, thepin positioned by first drilling a hole into a model of the teeth thathas been formed by filling the mold of a person's teeth with a modelforming material and then gluing the pin into the hole.

Known pouring jigs have many disadvantages. For example, the adjustmentfeatures of known pouring jigs, if available, are typically awkward anddifficult to adjust with any degree of precision. Further, typicallyonly the feature holding the mold or the feature holding the pins isadjustable. With this limited adjustability, it is difficult to positionthe mold and pins in a precise way relative to each other either whenpreparing to pour a dental model using the pouring jig.

Another disadvantage of known pouring jigs is the amount of time ittakes to make adjustments to the jig and the ability to recreate thesame adjusted position. Also, known pouring jigs are typicallyconfigured for a single mold and dental model base size, such as, forexample, sizes that reflect a large, medium and small sized mouths. Ayet further limitation of known pouring jigs is that they are configuredfor either a quadrant or a full arch dental model base, but notcompatible for both a quadrant and full arch dental model base.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to dental models and methods andapparati for forming dental models from a mold of a person's teeth. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to adjustable dental model pouringjigs and a method of using the pouring jig to create a dental model froma mold of a person's teeth. The pouring jig may include a base memberthat supports a model base support member and a mold support member. Themodel base support member is secured to the base member and is capableof mounting a dental model base. The mold support member may beadjustably secured to the base member and include a stand portion thatsupports a mold platform capable of mounting a mold of a person's teeth.At least a portion of the mold platform may be easily detached andreattached to the stand portion. The mold support member is adjustablerelative to the model base support member to properly position a mold ofa person's teeth adjacent the dental model base.

Another aspect of the invention includes a method of forming a dentalmodel using a dental model pouring jig. The pouring jig includes a moldsupport member having a mold platform that is configured to support adental mold. The method includes the steps of supporting the dental moldwith the mold platform, mounting the mold platform to the mold supportmember with a curable material, forming a first dental model while thedental mold is supported by the mold platform, and detaching the moldplatform from the mold support member.

The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describeeach embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. TheFigures and the detailed description that follow more particularlyexemplify a preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of thefollowing detailed description of preferred embodiments of the inventionin connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one example of a dental modelpouring jig according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the pouring jig of FIG. 1 with aportion of the base member and the dental model base removed;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a portion of one example of a base memberlocking mechanism according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of one example of a stand portion of the moldsupport member according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of one example of a mold platform and moldplatform adjuster according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of one example of a dental modelpouring jig according to the invention having a mold of a person's teethmounted to the pouring jig;

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of a pin locator illustratingprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the pin locator shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another example of a dental modelpouring jig with a two-piece mold platform according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a first piece of the two-piece moldplatform shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the first piece of the two-piecemold platform shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of a second piece of the two-piecemold platform shown in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the second piece of the two-piecemold platform shown in FIG. 12.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternativeforms, the specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in thedrawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood,however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to theparticular embodiment described. On the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling with inthe spirit and scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is believed to be applicable to a pouring jig usedto create a dental model and the method of using the same. Inparticular, the present invention is directed to a dental model pouringjig that is adjustable in multiple planes and includes features withmultiple degrees of freedom. While the present invention may not be solimited, an appreciation of various aspects of the invention will begained through a discussion of the examples provided below.

Pouring jigs have been used for years to assist in creating a dentalmodel from a mold or impression of a person's teeth. Typically, apouring jig includes a member mounting a mold of a person's teeth and amember for mounting a dental model base adjacent the mold.

FIG. 1 illustrates dental model pouring jig 10 of the present invention.Pouring jig 10 includes a base member 12, a model base support member 14and a mold support member 16. Model base support member 14 includes afirst portion 40 secured to base member 12 and a second portion 42 thatis pivotally secured to the first portion at pivot points 44 with apivot member 45. The mold support member 16 includes a stand portion 60and a mold platform 62. The stand portion 60 is adjustable in all threeof the X, Y, and Z directions. The mold platform 62 is pivotallyadjustable relative to the stand portion. Thus, adjustability of thestand portion 60, the mold platform 62, and the pivotal attachment ofsecond portion 42, provides for a dental model pouring jig that isadjustable in multiple directions to facilitate the pouring and creationof a dental model.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the features of base member 12 are shown ingreater detail. Base member 12 includes a locking mechanism that may beused to lock or hold mold support member 16 in a given X-Y position on atop surface 36 of the base member (see FIG. 1). Locking mechanism 20includes a pivot member 22, a pivot point 24, a locking portion 26, alever 28, a cam portion 30 secured to the lever (see FIG. 3), and alever bracket 32. The pivot member 22 is secured at the pivot point 24on one end and is engaged by the cam portion 32 of lever 28 near anopposing end. Locking portion 26 is mounted to the pivot memberpreferably at some point between the pivot point and where the camportion engages the pivot member. The cam portion 30 preferably engagespivot member 22 at a point as far from pivot point 24 as possible inorder to create the greatest amount of leverage for disengaging lockingportion 26 from the mold support member 16.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the lever 28 and lever bracket 32 are shownwith greater detail. Cam portion 30 is attached at an end of lever 28opposite the position of a lever handle 29. Cam portion 30 is configuredto include a specific cam surface having a cam surface angle. Camportion 30 is also configured to restrict the rotation of lever 28 to apredetermined amount of rotation. In this embodiment, the lever handle29 of the lever is in the upright position when locking portion 26 is inthe locked position, and is rotated at about 90 degrees after lockingportion 26 is disengaged from the mold support member 16. In otherembodiments, the lever may rotate through greater or smaller angles ofrotation to engage and disengage the locking portion. FIG. 3 furtherillustrates a lever bracket cover 34 that captures the lever within thelever bracket 32. In other embodiments, a lever bracket cover may not berequired due to the particular lever bracket and lever design.

In this embedment, locking portion 26 is a magnet that is strong enoughto hold mold support member 16 in a given X-Y position on top surface 36of the base member 12. The strength of the magnet should be strongenough to hold the mold support member in a given position to prohibitthe inadvertent movement of the mold support member, but allow thelocking portion to be easily releasable for adjusting the mold supportmember.

In other embodiments, locking mechanism 20 may be configureddifferently, having different components and features for locking themold support member 16 in a given X-Y position. For example, the lockingmechanism 20 may include a ball and socket configuration wherein theball is secured to the mold support member and the socket portion, whentightened, secures the mold support member to base member 12. Anotherembodiment of locking mechanism 12 may include a threaded shaft with anut, wherein tightening the nut tightens the mold support member againstthe base member at a certain X-Y position.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the model base support member 14 will bedescribed in further detail. The model base support member may alsoinclude an attachment plate 46 (see also FIG. 2) to which a dental modelbase or pin locator 48 may be attached. The attachment plate 46 issecured to second portion 42 at connecting points 50, 52 and 54 withfasteners, adhesives, or the like.

Typically, second portion 42 is configured for a particular attachmentplate size. For example, there may be attachment plate sizes for anadult sized mouth (large), a youth sized mouth (medium), and a childsized mouth (small). Therefore, when creating a dental model from themold or impression of a particular sized mouth, the second portion 42may be replaced with the appropriate sized second portion by removingpivot member 45 and adding the proper sized second portion with thecorrect sized attachment plate for the correct sized dental model baseor pin locator. In other embodiments, second portion 42 may bepermanently fixed to first portion 40 such that an entirely differentpouring jig 10 could be used for each of the large, medium or smallattachment plate sizes.

An advantage of the model base support member 14 illustrated in FIGS. 1and 2 is that the second portion 42 may be moved between a firstposition (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) that positions the dental model baseor pin locator adjacent the mold platform 62, and a second positionpivotally removed from the mold platform. In the embedment illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 2, second portion 42 pivots 180 degrees between the firstand second positions so that in the second position the attachment plateand dental model base are facing upward rather than the generallydownward facing arrangement of the first position. While in the secondposition, it may be easier to mount the attachment plate at connectingpoints 50, 52 and 54, and also attach the dental model base or pinlocator to the attachment plate when preparing the pouring jig 10 forcreating a dental model. Also, when in the second position, it may beeasier to arrange pins is the dental model base and prepare the pins forinsertion into the mold by, for example, pre-covering the pins with alayer of model forming material to ensure that the pins are properlysecured within the model formed from the mold.

A further advantage of the model base support member 14 of the presentinvention is that it may be compatible with both a quadrant and a fullarch attachment plate and dental model base or pin locator. In otherembodiments, the connecting points 50, 52 and 54 may be configureddifferently for mounting different attachment plate designs or formounting a dental model base directly to the second portion. Forexample, there may be two, four, or more connecting points depending onthe design of the piece which is being connected to the second portion.

The configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 is intended to be compatiblewith an entire family of attachment plates and dental model base designsand configurations as shown and described in U.S. Patent Nos. D 429,815,D430,672, D433,136, D433,754, D444,559, D443,363, D456,904, D457,964,D457,963, D456,903, D457,636, D457,243, D456,902, D457,637, D464,432,D465,027, D464,431, D457,455, D464,732, D469,151, D468,432, D468,018,D481,797, D469,537, 5,788,490, 5,800,166, 5,868,569, 5,934,901,6,471,513, and 6,884,068, U.S. Pat. publication No. U.S. 2002—0102514A1, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/349,192, which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety. This family ofpatents and patent applications relates to, but is not limited to,attachment plates and dental model bases for full and half archapplications that include removable or fixed pins and are capable ofattachment to an articulator with ball and socket and snap fitconnection features.

The pin locator 48 illustrated in FIG. 1 is comparable in some respectsto the dental model base configurations referenced in the above issuedU.S. patents and patent applications, in that it is configured to bequickly releasable from the attachment plate and may include a varietyof different pin configurations. Pin locator 48 may include relativelylong pins (as compared to pins of a dental model base) that extend fromthe pin locator for improved visual alignment and positioning of thedental mold relative to the pin locator. It is intended that after themold is properly positioned relative to the pin locator, that the pinlocator is replaced with a dental model base prior to forming a dentalmodel from the mold.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the mold support member 16 isdescribed in greater detail. The stand portion 60 of the mold supportmember includes a stand base 64, a bore portion 65 mounted to the standbase, a threaded shaft 66 insertable into the bore portion, a threadednut 68 secured to the bore portion that engages the threaded shaft, andan opposing plate 70 positioned adjacent the base member 12 on anopposite side of top surface 36 from the position of stand base 64. Theexploded view of FIG. 4 illustrates the relatively positioning of thesevarious features and how they may be assembled.

The threaded nut portion 68 is secured to bore portion 65, but isrotatable relative to the bore portion. The threaded shaft 66 engagesthe internal threads of the nut such that rotation of the nut moves thethread shaft 66 within bore portion 65. In other embodiments, boreportion includes internal threads, and the threaded shaft engages thethreads of the bore portion. In this configuration, the threaded nutportion may not be required to move the threaded shaft relative to thebore portion.

The stand base 64 and opposing plate 70 are secured to each other andconfigured such that a protrusion 72 extending from the stand base maymove within a bore 74 formed in the base member. This arrangement allowsthe stand portion 60 to move in the X-Y plane relative to base member 12when locking mechanism 20 has disengaged locking portion 26 from thestand portion 60. When the locking portion 26 engages opposing plate 70,the stand portion 60 is locked or fixed against top surface 36 in agiven X-Y position.

To assist in centering and determining the X-Y position of stand portion60 relative to top surface 36, a groove 76 (see FIG. 1) may be formed intop surface 36 as a reference point.

The stand base 64 is designed in parts to keep debris and other foreignobjects from collecting on top surface 36 in the area over which standbase 64 may move in the X-Y plane. The stand base may include an outsidering or wall, as shown in FIG. 4, that engages top surface 36 to preventthe debris or foreign objects from moving under the stand base.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the mold platform 62 and mold platform adjuster80 are shown in greater detail. The mold platform adjuster includes aball 82 and socket 84 in a configuration that permits pivotal adjustmentof the mold platform 62 relative to stand portion 60 and the model basesupport member 14. The ball and socket are captured between an uppermember 86 and a lower member 88. Socket 84 is adjusted with an adjusterhandle 90 to loosen or tighten the socket, thereby loosening ortightening the mold platform adjuster to release the mold platform orfix the mold platform in a given pivotally adjusted position. Theadjuster handle 90 may include a grip member 92 or similar feature toassist in rotating adjuster handle 90 to loosen or tighten the socket84.

Lower member 88 is secured to threaded shaft 66 of the stand portion 60,whereby vertical adjustment of the shaft portion also vertically adjuststhe position of the mold platform and mold platform adjuster.

In other embodiments, the mold platform adjuster 80 may be configureddifferently while performing the same or similar function. For example,the adjuster may include a ball, such as ball 82, and a set screw thatis inserted through the upper or lower member to lock the mold platformin a given pivotally adjusted position. In a further embodiment, themold platform may be hinged to the stand portion so that it isadjustable in a single direction such as, for example, the arrangementof the first and second portions of the model base support member. Inyet another embodiment, the adjuster may include two or more separatehinges wherein each hinge may be separately locked to hold the platformin a given hinged position, thereby allowing the platform to be adjustedin multiple directions.

The mold platform 62 is configured to mount a mold or impression of aperson's teeth 100 as shown in FIG. 6. To assist in positioning the moldin a particular position on the platform, the platform may include araised lip 94 that extends around a portion of the platform. In theconfiguration of FIG. 6, the raised edge extends around a majority ofthe platform while leaving a space open for a handle 102 or otherfeature that extends from the mold for handling the mold. The platformmay also include divots or grooves 96 (see FIG. 1) positioned at variousplaces on a top surface of the platform that assist in positioning ofthe mold. Typically, the platform top surface is covered with a layer ofplaster 104 or other impressionable material that the mold is pressedagainst to form a negative impression of an under side of the mold sothat the mold can be replaced in the exact same position each time it ismounted onto the platform. The divots 96 ensure that the material intowhich the negative impression of the mold is formed maintains a constantposition on the platform top surface.

The various components of pouring jig 10 may be made of a variety ofdifferent materials. For example, a majority of the componentsassociated with the base member 12, dental model support member 14, andmold support member 16 may be made of metal, metal alloy, polymer-basedmaterial, or a reinforced polymer-based material such as, for example,fiberglass-reinforced plastic.

One embodiment of pin locator 48 is further illustrated with referenceto FIGS. 7 and 8 (a full arch design). A half arch pin locator designwould include the same or similar features described below. Pin locator48 may include a body portion 110 having a first major surface 112, asecond major surface 113, and internal wall 114, and external wall 116,a first end 118, a second end 120, and elongated pins 122 extending fromthe first major surface. The pin locator may also be configured withball and socket attachment features 124 and 126 at one end of the bodyportion and a latch attachment feature 128 at an opposite end of thebody portion from the ball and socket features.

The arrangement of the internal and external walls of the body portionrelative to the second major surface may create a cavity 130. The volumeof the cavity may vary depending on the thickness of the walls, theirspacing from each other, and the distance the walls extend from thesecond major surface. Preferably, the walls are as thin as possiblewhile maintaining necessary structural rigidity. In some embodiments,holes may be formed in the body portion that extend between the firstand second major surface that are sized to receive removable locatorpins that extend into the cavity. There may be a plurality of holes thateach represents a possible tooth location in a dental mold. Thus, thelocator pins may be inserted in the body portion in positions thatrepresent tooth locations, and then similarly positioned holes could beused for pins in a dental model base that is used in conjunction withthe pin locator.

In a further pin locator embodiment, support protrusions are formed inthe cavity that extend from the second major surface. These protrusionsmay include axially aligned bores that are aligned with holes formedbetween the first and second major surfaces of the body portion. Theprotrusions would be configured to support the locator pins. In anotherembodiment, the protrusions are configured to receive tapered locatorpins.

The locator pins 122 shown in FIGS. 1, 7 and 8 are only exemplaryembodiments and should not be construed as limiting the pin designs towhat is shown. In other embodiments, the pins may have parallelsidewalls rather than the angled sidewalls shown. The locator pins mayalso include two or more parts that are secured together to form asingle locator pin, wherein each part has a different intended purposeand benefit. The locator pins may be secured to the body portion inseveral different ways, including, for example, adhering the pins to thefirst major surface, integrally forming the pins into the body portion,or inserting the pins into holes formed in the body portion (asdescribed above).

The ball and socket attachment features 124 and 126 are, in thisembodiment, concave recesses or sockets that are configured to engage aball feature that releasably secures the ball and socket together. Anexample of a ball feature is shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 as part of theattachment plate 46. In some embodiments of the present invention, theball feature may be integrated into the pin locator and the socketfeature may be integrated into the attachment plate. When the ball andsocket features of the attachment plate and pin locator engage oneanother, they may be held together in part by latch feature 128 on thepin locator that cooperates with an associated latch feature 130 on theattachment plate (see FIG. 6) in a snap-fit connection. A similarsnap-fit connection may be made between the attachment plate and adental model base. Latch features 128 and 130 may, in other embodiments,be interchangeable between the pin locator and attachment plate.Although the latch features and ball and socket features of the pinlocator and attachment plate are formed at generally first and secondends of the pin locator and attachment plate, these features could belocated along the side or on the top or bottom of those parts, whileproviding a similar easy-to-use and adjust apparatus.

In addition to using the pin locator described above in connection withthe pouring jig 10 described herein, the pin locator could be adaptedfor use with other pouring jig configurations and other appropriatedental-related applications. The pin locator and the dental model basethat is used in conjunction with the pouring jig of the presentinvention may have different sizes, for example, small, medium and largesizes that generally match the arch sizes of children, youth and adults,respectively. The pin locator and dental model base may also beconfigured to represent an upper or lower arch of a person's mouth. Thepin locator may be made of a variety of different materials, such as,for example, various polymer-based material such as nylon, polycarbonateplastics, or other castable or injection moldable materials. Preferably,the pin locator is made of a material that is strong, rigid, and lightweight, and may, in some embodiments, match the material used for thefamily of products based on the patents and patent applications listedabove.

One example of a method for forming a dental model using a dental modelpouring jig according to the present invention includes providing a moldof a person's teeth, mounting the mold to a mold support member,mounting a dental model base to a model base support member, adjustingthe mold support member relative to a base member, and adjusting themold support member relative to the model base support member. The moldis then filled with a model forming material, the dental model base ispositioned to engage the model forming material, the model formingmaterial is cured, and the mold is separated from the model formingmaterial.

A more detailed description of one possible method of forming a dentalmodel using the dental model pouring jig of the present invention isdescribed below. The steps described below are not required to beperformed in exact order listed and may be replaced with more or fewerstep that may accomplish the intended purpose of the invention.

First, the correct attachment plate and second portion of the model basesupport member size is chosen for a given mold size. In order to changethe second portion of a model base support member, the pivot pin isremoved and the proper sized second portion is mounted to the model basesupport member. The second portion with the attachment plate attached isthen moved to the first position above the mold support member.

Next, the mold support member is centered below the attachment plate andthe mold platform is leveled. The pin locator is attached to theattachment plate and the dental mold is then placed on the moldplatform. The pin locator is intended to duplicate all of the relativelocations and dimensions of the model base, including pins that may bemounted to the model base. The height of the model platform is adjustedso that the pins in the pin locator do not interfere with the mold, andthe mold is positioned so that it is roughly aligned the pins of the pinlocator.

At this point, the second portion of the model base support member isrotated to the second position and the mold is removed from the moldplatform. Next, plaster or other formable material is applied to the topof the mold platform and a thin layer of plastic film or a like materialis placed over the formable material. The mold is pressed down into theformable material to create a negative impression that will allow themold to be removed from the mold platform and replaced on the platformin the same position. The second portion of the model base supportmember is then pivoted back into the first position to position the pinlocator above the mold. The mold platform adjuster, threaded nut, andlocking mechanism are then adjusted to position the mold relative to thepins of the pin locator so that the tips of the pins are within about0.25 inches vertically of the tooth margins of the mold and as close aspossible to the center of each tooth. Due to the quick release and easyadjustment features of the dental model pouring jig of the presentinvention, the adjustments to place the mold in a proper position ismade easier and may be quickly performed.

Once the proper position is established and the dental mold is trimmedand prepared for pouring the dental model, the pin locator and secondportion of the model base support member are pivoted into the secondposition, and the pin locator is removed and replaced with the dentalmodel base. The second portion with dental model base is then broughtback into the first position for a final check to ensure properalignment of the pins of the dental model base relative to the teethimpressions in the mold. The second portion is again rotated into thesecond position, the mold removed from the mold platform and the dyematerial (casting or model forming material) is then poured into thedental mold and returned to the mold platform. While the dye material isstill in a plastic form, the second portion is rotated to the firstposition, bringing the dental model base into its final positionadjacent the mold with the pins of the dental model base extending intothe dye material.

After the dye material has hardened sufficiently, the dental mold anddental model base are removed from the pouring jig. The model base andhardened dye material are moved from the mold, and the dental model hasessentially been created.

In other methods of using the present invention, the pouring jig may beused with a dental model base that has no pins and no predrilled holes.With the dental model base properly aligned relative to a dental mold onthe pouring jig, a marking apparatus is used to mark the dental modelbase at locations that represent aligned positions between the dentalmodel base and the teeth impressions in the dental mold. The holes maythen be drilled in the dental model base at each of the marks and pinsinserted in the holes that are aligned with the teeth impressions.

Various directions of motion and adjustment are described herein withreference to the adjustability of various features and parts of thepresent invention. A “direction of motion” as used herein may be broadlydefined to include several different types of motion, such as, forexample, rotational motion, translational motion, and pivotal motion,and movement in all directions within that type of motion. For example,there is translational motion in the X, Y and Z axial directions as wellas translational motion in each of the XY, XZ, and YZ planes. Rotationalmotion can also be defined within the context of an XYZ coordinatesystem. Pivotal motion, although closely related to rotational motion,may be useful in describing the motion of some features of the presentinvention, such as the pivotal motion of platform 62 about a singlepoint defined by the ball and socket connection of the platform to thestand 60. Although motion can be defined in more complex ways, the abovedescribe directions of motion define the directions of motion primarilyused by the features of the present invention.

The various adjustment features of the present invention could berearranged in alternative embodiments to provide adjustability indifferent ways than that shown in the Figures. For example, the ball andsocket pivot motion of platform 62 relative to stand 60 could beimplemented into the model support member. In another example, themagnetic adjustment mechanism, in a revised configuration, could beimplemented into the model support member or the mold support member topermit adjustments of those members in various directions of motion.Thus, the embodiment illustrated in the Figures and described herein isonly one example of the many different embodiments that may be realizedusing the adjustment features disclosed herein to provide a pouring jigwith quick and easy adjustability in multiple directions of motion.

Another pouring jig embodiment 200 illustrating further exemplaryfeatures of the present invention is explained with reference to FIGS.9–13. Pouring jig 200 includes a base member 212, a model base supportmember 214, and a mold support member 216. Model base support member 214includes a first portion 240 secured to base member 212, and a secondportion 242 that is pivotally secured to first portion 240 at pivotpoints 244 with a pivot member 245. Mold support member 216 includes astand portion 260 and a mold platform 262. Stand portion 260 may beadjustable in multiple directions relative to base member 212 in thesame or similar ways as stand portion 60 of pouring jig 10. Moldplatform 262 may be pivotally mounted to stand portion 260. Theadjustability of stand portion 260, mold platform 262 and second portion242, provides for a dental model pouring jig 200 that is adjustable inmultiple directions having multiple degrees of freedom to facilitateproper formation of a dental model in a relatively quick and easy way.

Stand portion 260 of mold support member 216 may include a stand base264, a bore portion 265, a threaded shaft 266, and a threaded nut 68.Preferably, nut 268 is secured to bore portion 265 and is rotatable soas to engage and move threaded shaft 266 in an axially direction (Zdirection) relative to bore portion 265. Mold support member 216 is alsopreferably adjustable in an XY direction relative to base member 212using, for example, a feature similar to locking mechanism 20 describedabove.

Mold support member 216 may also include a mold platform adjuster 280that uses a ball and socket configuration (not shown in FIGS. 9–13; seeexample configuration in the exploded view of FIG. 5) that permitspivotal adjustment of mold platform 262 relative to stand portion 260.The ball and socket are captured between an upper member 286 and a lowermember 288. The socket is adjusted with an adjuster handle 290 that mayinclude a grip member 292 to assist in loosening and tightening thesocket about the ball to fix mold platform 262 in a given position.Upper member 286 is secured to mold platform 262. Lower member 288 issecured to threaded shaft 266 such that vertical adjustment of shaftportion 266 also vertically adjusts a position of at least portions ofmold platform 262.

Mold platform 262 includes a first piece 220 and a second piece 222.First piece 220 (see FIGS. 10 and 11) includes first and second primarysurfaces 224, 225, a groove 226 formed in first primary surface 224, andapertures 228, 230 extending between first and second primary surfaces224, 225. Upper member 286 of mold platform adjuster 280 is secured tosecond primary surface 225 using, for example, adhesives, interferencefit connections, snap fit connections, fasteners, ball and socketconnections, or by molding or otherwise forming first piece 220 andupper member 286 as a single unitary piece. In some embodiments, firstpiece 220 may be detachably mounted to upper member 286 so as to provideeasy detachment and reattachment of mold platform 262 from mold supportmember 216.

In alternative embodiments, the mold platform may be secured to thestand portion with a quick release feature, such as, for example, asnap-fit, an interference fit, fasteners, latches or other knownfeatures providing a relatively quick release between two or moreobjects. In yet further embodiments, other features of the mold supportmember may be detachable from the pouring jig using a quick release orother detachable configuration. For example, various features of thestand portion of the mold support member may be detachable, or even theentire mold support member may be easily and quickly detachable from thepouring jig.

The detachability of at least the mold platform of the mold supportmember may be advantageous for several reasons. For example, adetachable mold platform may make it possible for a dental mold to beproperly positioned and mounted to the mold platform when the moldplatform is attached to the pouring jig or when the mold platform isdetached from the pouring jig. Thus, multiple dental molds may beindividually mounted to separate mold platforms that are all detachedfrom the pouring jig, and then the prepared mold platforms (prepared byproperly mounting a dental mold to, for example, a mold support surfaceof the mold platform) can be quickly mounted one at a time to thepouring jig to form a dental model using the pouring jig.

A method of using a detachable mold platform to form a dental model mayinclude several steps, including, but not limited to, the followingsteps. A mold platform, with or without a dental mold properly mountedto it, may be attached to the stand portion of the mold support member.If the mold platform is not pre-mounted with a dental mold, the dentalmold is properly mounted to the mold platform after the mold platform isattached to the stand portion. A dental model base or pin locator (asdiscussed above with reference to FIGS. 1–8) supported by the model basesupport member may be positioned adjacent the dental mold, and the moldsupport member of the pouring jig may be adjusted to properly align thedental model base with the dental mold. The dental mold may be filledwith curable model material and the dental model base brought intocontact with the curable material. The curable material is then curedwhile the dental model base is in contact with the curable material.After the curable material in the dental mold is cured, the dental moldand mold platform may be detached from the pouring jig and replaced byanother mold platform that has mounted to it another dental mold, or isprepared to have mounted to it another dental mold, to be used forforming another dental model. These steps may be performed repeatedly asneeded. Also, it is possible to have only a portion of the moldplatform, such as a mold support surface of the platform, be attachedand detached from the pouring jig when each model is formed using thepouring jig.

The second piece 222 of mold platform 262 may include a raised lip 294with an open space 232 in raised lip 294 to accommodate a portion of adental mold (not shown in FIGS. 9–13; see exemplary mold 102 and raisedlip 94 shown in FIG. 6), a mold support surface 234, and a secondprimary surface 238. Second piece 222 may also include a groove 296formed in the mold support surface 234 that, due to the thickness ofmaterial between mold support surface 234 and second primary surface238, results in a protrusion 236 that extends from second primarysurface 234. Protrusion 236 and groove 296 may, in other embodiments, beformed independent of each other. Protrusion 236 is configured to matewith groove 226 in first piece 220. Groove 296 may be useful foraligning or securing a dental mold or curable material on second piece222.

Second piece 222 may also include first and second protrusions 252, 254that extend from second primary surface 238. First and secondprotrusions 252, 254 are configured to engage apertures 228, 230 offirst piece 220, possibly in an interference fit, so as to align andsecure first and second pieces 220, 222 together.

Second piece 222 may also include an outer wall 250 that defines ahollow space 251 into which first piece 220 may be enclosed or at leastsurround by around an exterior circumference of first piece 220. In someembodiments, an alternative attachment configuration may be providedbetween outer wall 250 and a portion of first piece 220. The two-piecemold platform 262 (when first and second pieces 220, 222 are securedtogether) may have the same or at least a similar appearance to moldplatform 62 of pouring jig 10, while providing the quick releasefeatures discussed above.

In other embodiments, first and second pieces 220, 222 may includedifferent connection features that provide detachability from each otherin a simple, time sensitive way. For example, first and second pieces220, 222 may include the ball and socket and snap fit connectionfeatures disclosed above with reference to the connection betweenattachment plate 46 and pin locator 48 (or a similarly configured dentalmodel base). Such a configuration may provide additional continuity inthe attachment features used for various pouring jig features. In otherembodiments, any number of attachment methods known to one skilled inthe art of detachably securing two or more members together (preferablyin a quick release configuration) may be used to secure first and secondpieces 220, 222 together.

In other embodiments, second piece 222 may be configured in a variety ofdifferent ways for securing a dental mold to mold platform 262. Thestructure of second piece 222 and the structure of mold platform 62 maybe well suited for using a curable material, such as plaster 104 shownin FIG. 6, that forms a rigid, although possibly detachable, connectionbetween the dental mold and the mold platform. When using a curablematerial to mount a dental mold to second piece 222, it may beadvantageous to cover the curable material with a coating, such ascellophane, prior to engaging the dental mold with the curable materialto facilitate removal of the dental mold from the cured curablematerial. In other embodiments, second piece 222 may be configured so asto provide a snap fit connection between the dental mold and the moldplatform, or may be configured to secure the dental mold to the moldplatform with fasteners, straps, latches, spacers, or other features. Itmay also be possible to construct second piece 222 (or mold platform 62)as a disposable member to which the dental mold may be adhered with apermanent adhesive or a like connection means such that second piece 222(or mold platform 62) and dental mold 104 may be disposed of at verylittle economic cost after the dental model has been formed.

In yet further embodiments of the present invention, the mold platformof the pouring jig may have more than two pieces and may include adifferent shaped platform (different from the hemispherical shapedplatforms 62, 262) that is specifically designed to address the shapesand sizes of different types and styles of dental molds.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the composition of theinvention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, the inventionresides in the claims hereinafter appended.

1. A method of forming a dental model using a dental model pouring jig,the pouring jig including a mold support member supporting a moldplatform, the mold platform configured to support a dental mold, themethod comprising the steps of: mounting the dental mold to the moldplatform using a curable material; attaching the mold platform to themold support member; forming a first dental model while the dental moldis supported by the mold platform; and dettaching the mold platform fromthe mold support member; wherein forming the first dental model includesfilling the dental mold with a modeling material and positioning adental model base in engagement with the modeling material.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising repeating the same steps using adifferent mold platform to form a second dental model.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising the step of removing the dental mold and thecurable material from the mold platform alter the dental model has beenformed.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the pouring jig furthercomprises a dental model base support member configured to position thedental model base adjacent the dental mold when the dental mold issupported by the mold platform, the method further comprising the stepof adjusting a position of the dental mold relative to the dental modelbase when the dental mold is supported by the mold platform.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the mold support member includes a standportion supporting the mold platform, and the mold platform includesfirst and second pieces, the first piece being secured to the standportion and the second portion including a mold support surface, whereinthe attaching step includes securing the first and second piecetogether, and the detaching step includes detaching the first and secondpiece from each other.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step ofmounting the dental mold to the mold platform includes embedding thedental mold in the curable material and curing the curable material. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein the curable material is an adhesive. 8.The method of claim 1, wherein the curable material is a plaster basedmaterial.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the mounting step includescovering a portion of the mold platform with the curable material,covering the curable material with a film, and engaging the mold withthe film to form an impression of the mold in the curable material. 10.A method of using a dental model pouring jig to form a dental model, thepouring jig comprising a base, a mold support member mounted to thebase, and a dental model base support member mounted to the base, themold support member supporting a mold platform having at least aremovable first mold support surface, each mold support surface beingconfigured to mount a dental mold, the method comprising the steps of:mounting a first dental mold to a first mold support surface; attachingthe first mold support surface to the mold platform; attaching a firstdental model base to the dental model base support member; filling thefirst dental mold with a modeling material; positioning the first dentalmodel base in engagement with the modeling material; detaching the firstmold support surface from the mold platform; and detaching the firstdental model base from the dental model base support member.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the mold platform has three or more moldsupport surfaces, and the method further includes the steps of mountingseparate dental molds to each mold support surface, separately attachingeach mold support to the mold platform, and forming a separate dentalmodel from each dental mold.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein themold platform includes a second mold support surface, and the methodfurther comprises: mounting a second dental mold to the second moldsupport surface; attaching the second mold support surface to the moldplatform; attaching a second dental model base to the dental model basesupport member; filling the second dental mold with a modeling material;positioning the second dental model base in engagement with the modelingmaterial; detaching the first mold support surface from the moldplatform; and detaching the first dental model base from the dentalmodel base support member.
 13. A meted of forming a dental model using adental model pouring jig, the pouring jig including a mold supportmember supporting a mold platform, the mold platform configured tosupport a dental mold, and a dental model base support member configuredto position a dental model base adjacent the dental mold when the dentalmold is supported by the mold platform, the method comprising the stepsof: mounting the dental mold to the mold platform using a curablematerial; attaching the mold platform to the mold support member;adjusting a position of the dental mold relative to the dental modelbase when the dental mold is supported by the mold platform; forming afirst dental model while the dental mold is supported by the moldplatform; and detaching the mold platform from the mold support member.14. A method of forming a dental model using a dental model pouring jig,the pouring jig including a mold support member supporting a moldplatform, the mold platform configured to support a dental mold, themold platform including first and second pieces, the first piece beingsecured to the stand portion and the second portion including a moldsupport surface, and the mold support member includes a stand portionsupporting the mold platform, and the method comprising the steps of:mounting the dental mold to the mold platform using a curable material;attaching the mold platform to the mold support member by securing thefirst and second pieces together; forming a first dental model while thedental mold is supported by the mold platform; and detaching the moldplatform from the mold support member by detaching the first and secondpieces from each other.
 15. A method of forming a dental model using adental model pouring jig, the pouring jig including a mold supportmember supporting a mold platform, the mold platform configured tosupport a dental mold, the method comprising the steps of: mounting thedental mold to the mold platform using a curable material wherein thecurable material is a plaster-based material; attaching the moldplatform to the mold support member; forming a first dental model whilethe dental mold is supported by the mold platform; and detaching themold platform from the mold support member, wherein the mounting stepincludes covering a portion of the mold platform with the curablematerial, covering the curable material with a film, and engaging themold with the film to form an impression of the mold in the curablematerial.